President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the government was still studying the possibility of the Philippines accepting refugees from Afghanistan, saying the situation remains complicated.
*President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PTV screenshot)*

In an interview with reporters in Pampanga on Monday, July 17, the President said they continue to look into the issue deeply as the situation was complicated. "Ibang usapan to kasi may halong politika may halong security. So medyo mas kumplikado ito (This is a different story because politics and security are involved. This is more complicated)," he said. "We'll look at it ver,y very well before making a decision," he added. According to the Chief Executive, they were still identifying the issues that may arise should the country decide to accept the Afghan refugees. While they do not have a self-imposed deadline, Marcos said they have already made some progress. "We haven't given ourselves a deadline. What we're talking about is that we're trying to see what are the problems, what issues are arising. In so doing, we are trying to find ways to remedy those issues that we feel are something we have to deal with," he said. "We have made some progress, but there are still some major obstacles to us being able to do it, but we continue to consult with our friends from the United States," he added. The President, however, noted the Filipino instinct of hospitability as one of the factors in making his decision. "Many times has happened that there have been situations around the world and may mga nagkaka-refugee hindi tinatatnggap, kahit saan, tayo tinatanggap natin. Hindi tayo kinakalimutan ng tinulungan natin. Ganyan talaga ang ugali ng Pinoy (and refugees won't be accepted anywhere but we do. The ones we helped don't forgot us. That is the Filipino character)," he said. Last month, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said the US government first requested for the Philippines to temporarily accept refugees fleeing from Taliban-ruled Afghanistan in October 2022. He said the request was for "pure processing" of special immigration  visas for Afghans and their families who formerly worked for the US government and "whose lives are in danger." Marcos and Biden briefly discussed the issue during their May meeting in Washington, D.C. In June, the President said they were looking for a way to do it without endangering the country's security.